Chicago’s Power Players Sound Off: Gun Violence Tops Concerns While Political Shake-ups Loom
By: Thom Serafin
February 18, 2025
You can listen to the latest Power Poll podcast here.
Move over, Cubs vs. White Sox debates – Chicago’s power players have bigger fish to fry. The latest Serafin Power Poll reveals what’s really keeping the Windy City’s movers and shakers up at night, and spoiler alert: it’s not whether ketchup belongs on hot dogs.
Top 5 City Challenges: The Not-So-Sweet Home Chicago Edition
When asked to rank Chicago’s most pressing issues, respondents painted a clear picture of their priorities:
- Gun Violence emerged as the top concern, with 53% of respondents ranking it #1
- Public Education claimed second place, with 35% giving it silver medal status
- Affordable Housing secured the middle spot, with 42% ranking it third
- Economic Inequality landed fourth, particularly concerning racial and ethnic wealth gaps
- Police Reform rounded out the top five
The Political Crystal Ball: Who’s Next?
With Mayor Brandon Johnson’s approval rating sitting at a chilly 14% (lower than a February day in Chicago), the political waters are churning. Here’s who respondents see as potential contenders:
- Alexi Giannoulias leads the pack at 35.77%
- Susana Mendoza follows with 26.83%
- Bill Conway claims 13.82%
- Other contenders, including Kam Buckner, Brian Hopkins, and Janice Jackson, each garnered less than 7%
Super Bowl Halftime Show: Mixed Reviews
The Super Bowl Halftime show had Chicagoans more divided than pizza preferences:
- 54.76% said it was “not my cup of tea”
- 21.43% found it “OK entertainment”
- 12.70% thought it was “marvelous”
- 11.11% found it “confusing”
Blagojevich Pardon: No Sale
When it comes to the presidential pardon of former Governor Rod Blagojevich, Chicago’s power players aren’t buying it. Despite being called “a very nice person” by President Trump:
- 66.41% oppose the pardon
- 24.22% support it
- 9.38% have no opinion
Presidential Penny Pinching
In a city that knows a thing or two about money matters, respondents weighed in on the potential end of penny production:
- 50% support dropping the copper coin
- 17.97% want to keep the penny rolling
- 32.03% didn’t flip either way
What It All Means
Like trying to parallel park on Michigan Avenue, Chicago’s challenges require precision, patience, and persistence. While gun violence and education top the priority list, the potential political shake-up suggests change might be brewing faster than a cup of Intelligentsia coffee.
The mix of serious civic concerns with divided opinions on cultural topics shows a city grappling with both fundamental challenges and evolving social dynamics.
Note: The Serafin Power Poll isn’t a scientific survey, but like Chicago weather, it gives you a pretty good idea of which way the wind is blowing. The poll represents the views of regional decision-makers and thought leaders in the Chicago metropolitan area.
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